My Company

By Kathryn Mayer

Medical tourism is a huge market, and it's attracting plenty of interest. Americans — often those uninsured — are flying thousands of miles to exotic locations for medical treatments, lured by lower costs and quality care.

Though most countries boast a number of their own medical specialties, there are eight countries Americans are going to most, says Renee-Marie Stephano, president of the Medical Tourism Association, in West Palm Beach, Fla. In no particular order:

Mexico

Americans often head south of the border for a couple obvious reasons: It's cost-effective, and it's close.

“Some American patients who are driven by cost will choose to go to Mexico,” Stephano says. “There tends to be lower market value for certain medical procedures.”

Each year more than 50,000 Americans cross into Mexico just for dental work.
India

Forget the Taj Mahal, a number of Americans want to instead visit a surgeon when they head to India. Consumers can expect to see a savings between 65 percent and 90 percent if they make the trek there, says Patients Beyond Borders.

Consider this: A bypass surgery with heart valve replacement can run $75,000-$140,000 in the United States, but will cost just $9,500 in India, according to the Indian Medical Travel Association. “Amongst all global medical tourism destinations, India undoubtedly offers the best to the world in terms of quality, cost and care,” the organization says.

“Thailand boasts world-renown Bumrungrad International, the granddaddy of international hospitals and Asia's first American-accredited facility, with 225 U.S. board certified physicians and surgeons. BI welcomes 400,000 international patients annually from 120 countries, including 25,000 American patients each year. Thailand's also known for meticulous cosmetic surgery, including gender reassignment.”

Germany

Germany has marketed itself as a top medical tourism destination — and Americans are embracing it.

According to the German National Tourist Board, about 77,000 foreign patients were treated in the country in 2010, spending 930 million euros, or $1.24 billion. They came mostly from other European countries, Russia, Gulf states or the United States.

That's because, according to the World Health Organization, Singapore ranks sixth in health care worldwide (compared to the United States' 36th ranking). The country is well-known for its cancer treatment and care.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica has often been synonymous with medical tourism, especially for Americans.

Its proximity gives it an advantage over Asian and South American destinations. Plus, Patients Beyond Borders estimates that patients might save 40 percent to 65 percent for certain procedures.